Library Commission Minutes

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Location: Denver Central Library, Library Commission Room

Members Present: Suneeta Hazra, Fofi Mendez, Karen Rokala, Lois Ann Rovira, K.C. Veio.

Excused: Sid Wilson, Susana Cordova, Kevin O’Connor.

Staff Present: Shirley Amore, Robert Bowles, Gwendolyn Crenshaw, Elizabeth Elder, Eleanor Glover, Letty Icolari, Cori Jackamore, Evi Klett, Susan Kotarba, Elaine Langeberg, Diane Lapierre, Jo Sarling, Sandra Smith, Derek Wolfgram.

Guests Present: Hanne Lichtenfels, Denver Public Library Friends Foundation; Steve Hildmann and Josephine Zamora, community members.

1. Call to Order.
   • President K.C. Veio called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.



2. Approval of Minutes of October 19, 2006, Regular Monthly Meeting.
   • The Minutes were approved as written.



3. Public Comment Period.
   • The staff and guests present introduced themselves.
   • Community member Steve Hildmann voiced some concerns. K.C. Veio replied that Shirley Amore would respond in writing to his concerns about the Denver Public Library's contract with Amazon.
   • Josephine Zamora attended the meeting to update newer Library Commissioners about the Mariposa Health Center. She noted that she had a good meeting with City Librarian, Shirley Amore. K.C. Veio thanked Ms. Zamora for her work on this effort.



4. Report of the President and Members.
   • a. K.C. Veio presented the 2007 Library Commission Meeting Schedule. The meetings will continue to take place on the third Thursday of the month at 3:30 p.m. at various library locations.
   • b. Fofi Mendez reported on the activities of the Cultural Facilities Subcommittee of Denver’s Infrastructure Priorities Task Force. The Cultural Facilities Subcommittee will begin the process of ranking and prioritizing the different proposals on Monday, November 20. The Cultural Facilities projects include: The Museum of Nature and Science, The National Western Stock Show, Denver Botanical Gardens, Theaters and Arenas, completion of the Buell Theater, Boettcher Concert Hall and The Denver Public Library. Fofi Mendez thanked Elizabeth Elder and her team for providing a great presentation at the Decker Branch Library on November 6. The team’s efforts clearly showed a lot of thought and professionalism.



5. Report of the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation.
   • Hanne Lichtenfels reported that the Friends Foundation is working hard on the Strategic Planning process. The Friends Foundation hopes to have a timeline in place with items in writing in six months and implementation towards the end of 2007. Hanne Lichtenfels relayed that Laurie Romer, Nadine Leal and Tracy Donovan will help with Special Events, i.e., the Rare Book Auction and the upcoming Appreciation Party. The Appreciation Party is scheduled for Thursday, November 30, 2006, 5:30 p.m. in the Vida Ellison Gallery at the Denver Central Library. The Friends Foundation Finance Committee met on November 16 and learned that new tax laws will impact them and their reporting process.



6. Financial Matters.
   • Robert Bowles presented the monthly Financial Report through October 31, 2006.
   • K.C. Veio and Lois Ann Rovira reported on the October 30 Special Trust Fund Budget Library Commission Finance Committee meeting. Upon motion by Fofi Mendez, seconded by Karen Rokala, the Commission members approved the proposed Special Trust Fund Budget for 2007. K.C. Veio wished Robert Bowles well upon his departure from the Denver Public Library.
   
   
   
7. Report on Summer of Reading, Omni Survey Results and Final Report of 2006 Incentive Plan.
   • Susan Kotarba presented an overview of Summer of Reading 2006 and Omni’s year-end findings. She happily reported that DPL exceeded its incentive goals for number of Children’s programs and attendance at these programs.
   
   
   
8. Report on DPL Presentation to Cultural Facilities Subcommittee of Denver’s Infrastructure Priorities Task Force.
   • Shirley Amore commended Elizabeth Elder on her presentation to the Cultural Facilities Subcommittee and recognized other staff members who participated in the presentation and proposal. Responses to additional questions received from the Cultural Facilities Subcommittee are currently being drafted.
   
   
   
9. Report of the City Librarian and Staff.
   • In addition to her written report, Shirley Amore:
   • Recognized staff who were impacted at the Bear Valley, Montbello and Hampden Branch libraries by Election Day malfunctions.
   • Announced Derek Wolfgram is leaving to become Director of the Butte County (California) Library System.
   • Noted DPL will be hiring for positions to staff the new hours at Ross-University Hills, Bear Valley, Montbello and Woodbury branch libraries, and announced that the Central Library will be opening at 10 a.m. rather than noon on Mondays and Tuesdays.
   • Shirley Amore reported there were some excellent programs at the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) Conference. The hit of the conference was Fofi Mendez receiving the Julie Boucher Intellectual Freedom award.
   • Diane Lapierre presented the Year to Date Fundraising report.  She then presented a check for $15,000 from the Used Book Sale to Judith Heck and the Katrina Committee to help the New Orleans Public Library.



10. K.C. Veio adjourned the meeting at 4:35 p.m.
    

Submitted by Lois Ann Rovira, Secretary